It could be my imagination, but I don't think we've had many sunny days lately. I've had things to share but hate to photograph without nice light. It's been very gray. I took this shot out the window from the back of my house.

No sun yet.

So. Here's what has been going on.

Last week I attended another one of Jen's fun pARTy's. It feels so great to get out and have adult conversation with some very interesting and very talented women. And I always love going home with a finished project. This time she taught us how to bind books. These are so great. With removeable paper, this is one book I'm sure to write in.

Last week my super package from Sonya's mushroom swap arrived. She has to be the best swap hostess. Ever. She was so organized and so top notch communicating with everyone...she should do it for hire. I got such a great variety.

These were made by Lara, Adrienne (wood turned Walnut morel! I'm amazed), Alison, Sonja and Mary. All are so unique and so lovely. And I got a bonus on Monday when two more arrived.

One darling redcap from Rachel (who's mushrooms were thought to be lost in the mail so I offered to send her an extra one of mine) and the perfect morel from Sara (we did a little swap on the side). I've got quite a collection now.

And finally, here's what we made at the preschool last week.

Simple, yet sweet little pinch pots. The kids were so pleased with their work. I'm lucky to have a sister who provided me with the clay and even fired them in her kiln.

Sweet little stuffed mice made out of old felted wool sweaters. With a simple whip stitch this was an easy-to-sew project for my 3-5 year olds. Here's how we did it.

Gather supplies. Old woool sweater, wool for stuffing, yarn, thread and a bead for the nose.

First cut a basic pattern out of paper...ours was a teardrop shape. Cut the mice out of the wool for the children and find something to use for the tail. We used a bit of black yarn (about 4 inches long).

Make a knot in one end of the yarn and begin by stitching through the knot and into the wool to make sure it is completly fastened.

Fold the wool in half and have the children begin doing whip stitch along the edge while you hold it together.

Once the mouse it stitched three-quarters of the way, stop and stuff with wool. Next add a bead for a nose, and you're done.

And if you've got older children or more skilled stitchers on your hands, you can try a bird. Simply follow the above steps and add feathers and a beak.

Did you ever wonder what 245 mushrooms look like? Sonya found out. She is the Handmade Mushroom Swap hostess. Of course I signed right up. I've had this teeny dried morel mushroom hanging out in my inspiration box for many months and I thought now would be a good time to try and make one.

But then I saw Sara's. And I think hers are perfect...so, no sense in my trying to create them then.

So I tried a weird mix of felt, wool sweater and needle felting.

No, that wasn't quite right.

Then I tried making the cute red spotted type. I went with my igloo pincushion for the top and added a stem. I made some red, some pink, some navy.

For some reason I wasn't loving them.

Maybe it was because all that stitching began to feel a little tedious. Anyway, they were done and packed up and I had even carved a little stamp to attach to them.

And then I missed the mail to deadline. (I'm having terrible post office phobia these days). So I wrote Sonya to tell her they wouldn't arrive in time. She said I actually had another week to mail them. So what did I do? I started from scratch and made these.

I've been completely spoiled rotten lately. So much love and generosity has come my way and boy do I feel like one lucky woman. I celebrated my birthday last week and although I was quiet about it here, I received many email wishes thanks to my dear friend Jen who sent so many friends my way when she wrote such a sweet message to me in this post. And to accompany such a lovely wish on that day, this sweet gift arrived in my mailbox from her.

"Spend some time with me." I love that. And boy Jen, I sure wish I could right now.

My sister is really good at spoiling me. She's been doing it my whole life. I'll never forget my eighth birthday when she took me out for dinner at a Japanese restaurant called Fuji-ya. It was such a huge day for me. She must have had her driver's license already, but for some reason we took the bus to the restaurant downtown. I felt so special. And so grown up. And I will never forget such a unique treat. (Don't worry Sistah, I'll leave out the part about how it was snowing buckets out when we left the restaurant and I was completely unaware you hitched us a ride home from strangers. Don't worry, you said, they're just some nice people from church...get in the car. I felt like a princess not having to go home in the bus.) This year was no exception. She showered me with gifts.

Another gift I just have to show off since Shari doesn't have a blog is this beautiful purse.

Silk and wool. Lined with cashmere and velvet. I don't know whether to put my phone and keys in the bag or just use it to keep my hands warm.

And speaking of silk and velvet, I treated myself to one of Jackie's beautiful embroidered cuffs.

It actually arrived ON my birthday...I love, love, love her work. Check out her shop here.

And yesterday when I saw Jen, I could hardly believe my eyes when I unwrapped this beautiful gem from her.

Jen does such incredible work and this is a piece I will treasure forever. And how appropriate given I am a pisces. (Her photo is so much better.)

Finally...lucky, lucky me. I got to have a "bring-a-blogger-friend-to-work-day" on Tuesday. Dear, sweet Sarah was in town again. She willingly wanted to join me at my school. Actually, it was perfect. We had plently of time to catch up while the children played and I enjoyed a little break as she did (what she does so well) story hour.

What an energy boost she is. She lifted my spirits and brought smiles for all the children. Her humor and laughter is completely infectious. I loved sharing this part of my life with her and now my school holds the memory of her visit. What a special day for us all. Check out the beautiful photos she took of my boys. She also came bearing gifts. Some delicious smelling candles came inside one gorgeous bag that she made.

I almost cried. All the pretty fabrics, most of them vintage. And her sewing is quite enviable. One day I keep telling myself. One day I will learn how to run that sewing machine of mine.